From Dirigisme to Digital Partnership

France's statist tradition—dirigisme—initially seemed incompatible with the fast-moving, disruptive world of startups. The same centralized approach that built the TGV and Airbus appeared ill-suited to fostering garage entrepreneurs. Yet France managed to evolve its interventionist instincts into something more subtle and effective: strategic enablement.

"The genius of French Tech policy is that it leverages state power without stifling innovation," observes Dr. Sarah Chen, who studies innovation policy at INSEAD. "Rather than picking winners or managing outcomes, the government creates conditions for success and then steps back."

This evolution didn't happen overnight. It required failures, learning, and most importantly, a new generation of civil servants who understood both government machinery and startup dynamics.